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THAILAND has lifted the pre-arrival requirements for travelers entering the country, as of July 1, 2022, as announced by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). These regulations have been considered burdensome and hamper the recovery of the tourism industry.
Thailand Pass is a system that requires foreign tourists to seek approval from the Thai authorities before entering the country.
According to the Minister of Tourism of Thailand, Pipat Ratchakitprakan on Friday (6/17) said, in addition to removing these restrictions, the government will also lift the rules for the use of masks in public areas, following the slow spread of COVID-19.
The coronavirus task force on Friday said the use of face masks from next month would be voluntary. However, the group advises people to wear it if they are in a crowded place or if they suffer from a health condition.
Thailand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. However, tourism business activists have long complained about the complicated requirements for foreigners.
They are required to submit documents ranging from vaccines and swab test certificates to health insurance and hotel reservations. These difficulties hinder the recovery of the tourism sector after the pandemic.
In 2019, Thailand received visits from nearly 40 million foreign tourists. In 2021, that figure has dropped dramatically to only 1% remaining even though the government has relaxed quarantine requirements.
Although tourism has increased in recent months, the industry is far from recovering. Thailand has lost jobs and big business in a sector that normally accounts for about 12% of Thailand’s gross domestic product. [sources/photo special]
